[Charlie Croker]

Hi all, new to the forum and not that clued up about Civics (yet).

Thing is I've pretty much decided that my next car will be a Civic as it ticks all the right boxes for me. I'll be after a 1.8 petrol 5 door, probably around 2008 -2009 with a budget of up to £10,000.

I've been looking at Autotrader and becoming more and more confused about all the trim levels and specs available and hoped someone on here might be able to help.

For example I've seen L, SE, ES, EX versions (amongst others) and can't really fathom out what has what fitted as standard.

I'll be wanting 16" wheels rather than 17", and a manual 'box rather than i-shift. Leather would be nice and so would heated seats and parking sensors (but these are not essential), not that bothered about satnav and glass roof but wouldn't complain!

Also I understand from this forum that there was a facelift in 2009 just to add to my confusion.

Any help / comments welcome.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[J. Derek Riddell]

There is no "L" ...

For your budget, there's (in ascending order) - SE / ES / EX - not the SE, I think (few 'toys') - the ES and EX models often come with factory extras, just to confuse matters ...

Look in the Wiki for the standard ES / EX specs ...

 

[Charlie Croker]

^ You're right there is no ''L''. I was sure I'd seen more than one L spec on Autotrader and went back on to check this out. Turns out those cars are listed as 1.8L with the L standing for litres D'OH!!

Took me back to the old days when you got cars like the Escort that came in L trim (radio), GL (plus vinyl roof) or GLS (plus driving lamps). Guess times have moved on eh?

 

[J. Derek Riddell]

^ You're right there is no ''L''. I was sure I'd seen more than one L spec on Autotrader and went back on to check this out. Turns out those cars are listed as 1.8L with the L standing for litres D'OH!!

Took me back to the old days when you got cars like the Escort that came in L trim (radio), GL (plus vinyl roof) or GLS (plus driving lamps). Guess times have moved on eh?

Remember the Ford "GTXLR" badging ? - and I'm certain I once saw a Capri with GTXLRS on it !!! ...

Anyway - Civics - ask away ...

 

[macsport]

not the SE, I think (few 'toys')

I beg to differ, SE spec has plenty of toys as standard, better than most cars in this class.

I also found two with full leather interior as well (I bought one of them). The only thing that was missing that I wouldn't have minded was cruise control, which the ES has.

If you don't want a panoramic roof or 17"+ wheels (though the wheels are easy to buy here in the sale and wants forum, like I did) then don't ignore an SE with extra kit. As well as full leather interior, the one I found also had the IOPlay bluetooth system fitted and I added front fogs and 17" alloys. Parking sensors aren't difficult to fit either (though I haven't bothered) there are loads of topics on this here on Civinfo.

The spec levels are detailed here - Civic - 5 Door - Civinfo Wiki (on these specs for AirCon read Climate Control!)

Also remember that SE, ES and EX dont have boot badges, so an SE is indistinguishable from an EX from the outside.

 

[Charlie Croker]

That's great, very helpful thanks.

I'll go off and peruse the specs on Wiki.

Thanks again for the replies

 

[Mr Punch]

^ You're right there is no ''L''. I was sure I'd seen more than one L spec on Autotrader and went back on to check this out. Turns out those cars are listed as 1.8L with the L standing for litres D'OH!!

Took me back to the old days when you got cars like the Escort that came in L trim (radio), GL (plus vinyl roof) or GLS (plus driving lamps). Guess times have moved on eh?

Nooooooooooooooo! That dates me straight away

 

[J. Derek Riddell]

I beg to differ, SE spec has plenty of toys as standard, better than most cars in this class.

I also found two with full leather interior as well (I bought one of them). The only thing that was missing that I wouldn't have minded was cruise control, which the ES has.

If you don't want a panoramic roof or 17"+ wheels (though these are easy to buy here in the sale and wants forum, like I did) then don't ignore an SE with extra kit. As well as full leather interior, the one I found also had the IOPlay bluetooth system fitted and I added front fogs and 17" alloys. Parking sensors aren't difficult to fit either (though I haven't bothered) there are loads of topics on this here on Civinfo.

The spec levels are detailed here - Civic - 5 Door - Civinfo Wiki (on these specs for AirCon read Climate Control!)

Also remember that SE, ES and EX dont have boot badges, so an SE is indistinguishable from an EX from the outside.

Well - I could be just a 'tad' biased ! ...

I have what in Scandinavia is called the "Executive" model, which is basically the "EX" in the UK ...

So, it came with the panoramic roof and heated front seats and built-in SatNav and all the other gadgets ...

I just love my Civic - so, I've bought and fitted a LOT more electronic stuff :facepalm: ...

 

[Bog]

Well - I could be just a 'tad' biased ! ...

I have what in Scandinavia is called the "Executive" model, which is basically the "EX" in the UK ...

So, it came with the panoramic roof and heated front seats and built-in SatNav and all the other gadgets ...

I just love my Civic - so, I've bought and fitted a LOT more electronic stuff :facepalm: ...

I'm gonna be a bit more than a 'tad' bias..... EX FTW

 

[Mr Punch]

I have an 1.4 SE and it's quite well fitted out. For a low end spec motor it sure has lots in it. Wish it had more grunt.

 

[macsport]

Nooooooooooooooo! That dates me straight away

And Me

 

[macsport]

Well - I could be just a 'tad' biased ! ...

Never

I think you should always go for the best spec within your budget but don't pay extra for items you don't want or need. Also don't ignore mileage. There were a couple of ES spec cars on my short list, but they had 50,000+ miles while this one had 18K on an 07 plate.

 

[irlirishkev]

I have a Champagne Silver 1.8 SE Exec (leather).

I was initially looking at the ES model, as my previous car had Cruise.. However I think I used Cruise Control maybe twice a year over the last few years so I wasn't too pushed (and my budget wouldn't allow an ES)

You might just get the basics with the SE model, but remember, there's a lot of nice basics!

Electric everything.
Digital onboard computer
A/C, Climate Control, Brilliant demister
Massive glove box with a/c
Heated mirrors
Magic Seats
Multi-functional Steering wheel
Fully adjustable Steering wheel (forward/back/up/down)
Fully adjustable seats (forward/back/up/down)
16" Alloys
Massive boot
Secret boot compartment
Adjustable Headlights
Vehicle Stability Assist (with switch)
Heated Seats (if you get leather)
Airbags all over the place
Cupholders all over the place.
Armrest front/back
Padded door armrests.

 

[jameslro]

depends what you want mate, if you like gadgets go for the ex, but you need to see other things like mentioned above, for example mileage, engine: if you like power go for the diesel. but the most important thing is your budget. buy what you can afford and do not see what you cannot buy

 

[Hullcivic1986]

se

I have a Champagne Silver 1.8 SE Exec (leather).

I was initially looking at the ES model, as my previous car had Cruise.. However I think I used Cruise Control maybe twice a year over the last few years so I wasn't too pushed (and my budget wouldn't allow an ES)

You might just get the basics with the SE model, but remember, there's a lot of nice basics!

Electric everything.
Digital onboard computer
A/C, Climate Control, Brilliant demister
Massive glove box with a/c
Heated mirrors
Magic Seats
Multi-functional Steering wheel
Fully adjustable Steering wheel (forward/back/up/down)
Fully adjustable seats (forward/back/up/down)
16" Alloys
Massive boot
Secret boot compartment
Adjustable Headlights
Vehicle Stability Assist (with switch)
Heated Seats (if you get leather)
Airbags all over the place
Cupholders all over the place.
Armrest front/back
Padded door armrests.

+1

I was suprised at how much kit came as standard when compared to a golf or a focus for example. The only thing I wanted was ipod control which I got sorted through this site.

I dont think you will be dissapointed with the 1.8 its more than capable of leaving lots of things at the lights and has a very good midrange when overtaking. Its never gonna be a type r but of course for some of us they are not always going to be practical/possible so the 1.8 is a nice compromise.

 

[Bog]

I dont think you will be dissapointed with the 1.8 its more than capable of leaving lots of things at the lights and has a very good midrange when overtaking. Its never gonna be a type r but of course for some of us they are not always going to be practical/possible so the 1.8 is a nice compromise.

So true... OK the CTR is very very quick and is is pitched as a Hot Hatch, but the 1.8 in all trims is still a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing and will suprise many drivers of other boring marques in the same segment

 

[Charlie Croker]

What a great forum!

Loads of replies to my post and very helpful too, cheers guys.

Sounds to me like I'll be fine with an SE. Cheaper too by the looks of things which suits me being a tight old git. Am I right in thinking that if I find one fitted with optional leather then it will also have heated seats by default?

I'm obsessed with heated seats at the moment, it's so cold and I'm sick of sitting on freezing cold leather in my current car. It's the only gadget that I really want (just decided that for definite this morning...), more gadgets will only confuse both of the old brain cells.

As for the engine the 1.8 seems like a good compromise to me, it'll do me just right. Too stuck in my ways to try a diesel, it's hocus pocus.

Sorry to make you all feel old banging on about L, GL trims etc. at least it's not just me then!

 

[LeeCS]

I found the SE had everything i needed really.. im pretty pleased with it anyway! Ok it doesnt have the sat nav but i wouldnt use it. Neve had cruise control so wernt bothered about that either.
The only thing that did bug me was the black plastic footrest but the silver one was one of the first mods i did to the car. It was identical to a few ES and Sports i looked at then (apart from the wheels)

Oh as for the seats, i swapped them for alcantara Type-S seats..


What model is it that comes with wheel trims and NO triangle exhaust trims? i thought that was the base model not the SE?

 

[bodgerx]

It's the lower end 1.4s with the wheel trims.

 

[LeeCS]

Ah the 1.4... didnt think of that!